Improvement in feathering paddle-wheels



VATR. Featn eri ng Paddle-wheel.

Patented Ja n. 26, 1875.

Illlll ll-lmlllfullrllrllgylh 'II THE GRAPHIC 94 PHOTOLLTHSBM PARKPLACEJVLY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.'

BERNHARD VATER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN FEATHERING PADDLE-WHEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159,127, dated January26, 1875; application tiled January 11, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BERNHARD VATEE, of NewYork city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new andImproved Paddle-Vheel, of which the following is a specification In theaccom pan yin g drawing, Figure l represents a vertical longitudinalsection of my improved paddle-wheel; and Fig. 2, a vertical transversesection of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

My invention relates to an improved construction of paddle-wheels forsteamboats, by which the paddles pass vertically into and through thewater, so as to utilize the full amount of power with less agitation ofthe water and vibration of the vessel. My invention consists of apaddle-wheel with vertically arranged paddles, that retain theirposition during their passage through the water by the rota-tion of thesupporting-frame in connection with the action of intermediate gearing,and a central stationary cog-wheel on the gear-wheels of the paddles.

In the drawing, A represents the supporting-frame of my improvedpaddle-wheel, which is constructed with radial arms and lateral bracesof suflcient strength to carry the required number of paddles. Thewheel-frame A turns by suitable bearings on a stationary shaft, B,rotary motion being imparted to it from the driving-shaft B1, which isrigidly secured at the hub at the inner side of frame, the stationaryshaft being centered in such manner in the driving-shaft that thesmallest degree of friction is produced. The stationary shaft B carriesa cogwheel, B2, which is firmly keyed thereto, and imparts by therotations of the frame rotary motion to three or more staffpinions, U,arranged in proportion to the number of paddles employed. The shafts ofpinions C turn in bearings or braces of frame A, and gear withcog-wheels D of the paddles D, which are rigidly attached thereto. Thecog-wheels D are supported by shafts or gudgeons in bearings of theradial arms of the frame, the paddles being arranged in verticalposition thereon. This position is re tained throughout the revolutionof the wheel by the joint action of the gearing, and the turning of thewheels. Any number of paddles may be employed, every two paddles beinggoverned by one pinion, so that the number of paddles is twice that ofthe intermediate pinions. The paddles enter vertically into the water,and retain this position throughout their passage through the same, sothat the full power of the engine, without the loss occasioned by thepresent paddles, is made use of for the forward propulsion of thevessel. The paddles are made by preference narrower, but higher, whichproduces a wheel of lesser width, but with the same acting surface asthe present paddle-wheels in use. The paddles agitate the water butlittle, and cause hardly any vibratory motion of the vessel. Their speedis slower, but the motion of the vessel is steadier, easier, andquicker, as a greater percentage of power is utilized. The wheel isstrong and durable, and less liable, if properly constructed, to beinjured by ice, waves, or other causes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A paddle-wheel for vessels, composed of a central stationary cog-wheel,intermediate revolving pinions, and outer vertical paddles withcog-wheels gearing therewith, mounted on a supporting wheel-frame, forproducing by the rotation of the frame the vertical position and passageof the paddles through the water, substantially as shown a-nd described.

BERNHARD VATER. Witnesses:

PA'UL GoEPEL, T. B. MosHEE.

